believe it but that in preaching the Word of life and opening the Gospel of the Kingdom to the ignorant and blinde world by which means multitudes were brought from darkness to light and from Idols to the serving of the living and true God Observ it is not said that the effects of the Vials shall be wrath or turn to wrath but In them is filled up the wrath of God That in this I say they poured out Vials filled up with the wrath of God I cannot so take it neither have I seen Reasons and Grounds why it should be so understood Reas 3 But thirdly Suppose it be granted there is a Vial of wrath poured out which to me sounds harshly and that Wickliff Huss Ierome of Prague Luther c. were the Angels The question then is Who before them poured out their Vials upon the earth For it is said These seven Angels had the seven last plagues signifying that there were Plagues before although for time persons matter and manner of proceeding and other circumstances unlike Besides I see no reason why some will have the pouring out of the Vials to begin at Luther others at Armachan the Irish Bishop some at Robert Grosthead Bishop of Lincoln To me their opinion seems fairer taking the Vials for the preaching of the Gospel who carry the thing higher as Mede and others even to Waldo yea and why not further as to Arnulphus Arnoldus Brixianus c. who publikely witnessed against the Tyranny and Primacie of the Pope boldly reproved the wicked lives of the Priests and many other faithful Witnesses both of * Which was about the year 1134. that time and before If we look into Histories and Records of Nations for ought I yet see granting some of the Vials already poured out viz. in witnessing against the blasphemies and beastly vanities of Antichrist Those who assert that some of the Vials are poured out should do well to give some Reasons why they take their beginning from such a man or such a time and why not before or after there is more reason to take their beginning 6 or 700 years past then to pitch upon any person or persons of later times Reas 4 Fourthly I have not seen any reason why so much time is allowed between the first and second Vials some allow a hundred years others two From Armach the Irish Bishop to the Sweden Wars in Germany is neer 300 years Rob. Grosted Bishop of Lincoln was before him almost 100 years Again from Luther to our Parliament an 1640. was about 120 years To the rest of the Vials there is not allowed half the time and some more namely from the pouring out of the first Vial to the beginning of the second and to all the rest not half the time Truly I think this is worth enquiry Why from the first Vial before the second begins longer time is alotted then to the Six other Vials If those Vials or last plagues have an allusion to the plagues of Egypt as it is generally held then it is probable when there is once a beginning they will be suddenly all poured out * Willet from Pererius collects that within the compass of 27 days or about a month all the plagues of Egypt were finished Comment on Exod. 7. Quest. 29. Some have observed from the History in Exodus that within the space of thirty days the ten Egyptian plagues from the first to the last were executed Now if we reckon a day for a year as it is often in Prophetical Types within thirty years the seven last plagues of the seven Angels will be finished Neither is it to be doubted but a short work will the Lamb make upon the earth Rom. 9.28 when those Vials begin to be poured out Wherefore is Babylons fall set forth under the signe of a great milstone cast into the sea by a mighty Angel Rev. 18.21 not onely to denote her irrecoverable desolation but what speedy and quick dispatch the Lord will make when he calls his Angels out of the Temple Therefore shall her plagues come in one day Rev. 18.8 in one hour vers 10 17 19. in a moment suddenly Isa 47.9 11. I know the destruction of Babylon mentioned Rev. 18. is by many restrained to the burning of the City of Rome but in my opinion there is far better Ground to take Babylon there for the whole Kingdom and Dominion of the Beast everywhere And let him that hath understanding read the Chapter he shall clearly see that it must be understood of the universal Antichristian State even all that which is to be destroyed under the five first Vials Neither do I think that any of the Vials will be poured forth till the Angel there come down from heaven having great power and the earth is lightned with his glory Rev. 18.1 For it seems to me as the pouring out of all the Vials will be the great work of Saints at the time of the end so the Lord will make way wonderfully for them For they shall be enlightned and satisfied as to the knowledge of their work and time So then in short I think it is a mistake to apply as some do the fall of Babylon to the burning of Rome or as others to the * I desire this may be well observed That the fall of Babylon Rev. 18. is to be referred to the five first Vials equally Neither comes any of the 7 Angels out of the Temple til that mighty Angel descend from heaven Rev. 18.1 fifth Vial. For as I said before there are manifest proofs in the Chapter that the Kingdom and State of the Beast everywhere is to be understood and that the other four Vials going before concern also the same thing Reas 5 Fifthly Though I would be loth to detract from any but desire to have the memory of the Just blessed especially such who have born any good Testimony against the Beast yet I cannot conceive how any of the persons to whom the first second and third Angels are ordinarily applied do fairly or fitly parallel and agree with what the Scripture holds forth Certain it is none of the Angels come out of the Temple till Iohn saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire and them that had gotten the victory over the Beast and over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name stand on the sea of glass having the harps of God and they sing the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the Lamb Rev. 15.2 3. All this well agrees with the description of the one hundred fourty and four thousand Rev. 14.1 2 3. But to carry these things to Grostead Armachan Wickliff Luther c. if need were I could shew by many reasons the improbabilitie of it There is a great difference between not receiving the mark or the name of the Beast or the number of his name and getting the victory over the Beast
and over his image mark name c. It is true in the former sence there were many of Gods people which in the time of the Beasts reign received not his mark c. but that any of them during the fourty and two months got the Victory over the Beast or over his image mark name c. to this I cannot assent Neither is their opinion well bottomed I speak as I think who hold that this victory over the Beast and singing the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb to be before the rising of the Witnesses even the time that they prophesied in sackcloth and whilst the woman was still in the wilderness Under favour I think that their opinion is better grounded I speak as to consonancie of parallel Scriptures who taking the Witnesses already risen do carry this victory over the Beast and the song of Moses and of the Lamb to the time of their rising and so begin the Vials But to hold the Witnesses not risen nor the woman out of the wilderness and yet to hold the victory over the Beast past the song of Moses and of the Lamb to be sung some hundred yeers ago and so to begin the Vials this to me seems little less then evident * That the woman whilst she abode in the wilderness and the Witnesses prophesying in sackcloth should sing the song of Moses and the Lamb it seems a contradiction yet I see not how such as hold some of the Vials poured out and yet the woman not out of the wilderness nor the Witnesses risen can avoid it contradiction Reas 6 Sixthly My opinion is that none of the seven last plagues or Vials are yet poured forth nor will be till after the rising of the Witnesses for this reason namely because none of the seven Angels come forth with their golden Vials until the Tabernacle of the Testimony is opened in heaven Mede perceiving the place to be so directly against him and others who hold some of the Vials poured out puts it off thus Truly saith he that which is there said of the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony in heaven that appertaineth not to the beginning but to the event of the Vials But by his leave he takes more then the place allows him Rev. 15.5 But that part of the Tabernacle of the Testimony is to be shut all the time of the Witnesses their prophesying in sackcloth as may be gathered from Rev. 11.1 with vers 19. Hence this Argument might be fram'd No Angel is to come forth with his golden Vial till the Tabernacle of the Testimony in heaven be opened But the Tabernacle of the Testimony is not to be opened till after the rising of the Witnesses Therefore no Angel with his golden Vial is to come forth till after the rising of the Witnesses The proof of the Argument are the Scriptures before viz. Rev. 15.5 with Chap. 11. vers 1 19. Now if any do think that the four last Angels shall come out from the Temple opened in heaven and not the first three such an opinion is against the Text expresly which saith that the seven Angels come out of the Temple vers 6. Neither do I know any ground they have who think that the Angels pouring out the four last Vials shall have more light zeal faith holiness c. then the former had There is no such thing to be gathered from the Text. But if we may use liberty of conjecture I see no reason supposing pre-eminence why the first should not have it as he that fights the Enemy and engageth first shews himself the most valiant and best-deserving Souldier Reas 7 Neither seventhly do I think that the effects of any of the Vials which some suppose are poured out make good what is said Rev. 15.4 For thy judgements are made Manifest The place to me hath much more in it then what followed the Doctrines writings of Grostead Wickliff Huss Luther Melancthon c. or the Swethen wars or the Parliament in England For Gods judgements notwithstanding what hath been yet done remain still dark doubtfull disputeable c. especially to the world wherein his Iudgements shall be Manifest in the effects of the Vials As the Egyptians under their plagues though hardned in sin yet acknowledged the finger of God upon them Exo. 8.19 So the followers of the Beast when the Vials are poured out notwithstanding their blaspheming God and not repenting to give him glory shall see the hand of God lifted up be ashamed for their envie at his people Isa 26.11 So manifest at this time will his judgments be 2 Tim. 3.9 But hitherto the * Should we in the particulars consider begining either at Grostead Armachan Luther c. or where else and come down to our own times very little can be said as to Gods Judgements upon the Antichristians yet Manifested Neither did the Swethen wars nor Ours signifie much as to what should be Manifested in the effects of every Vial being poured out providentiall appearances Actings of God have been so darke and hidden his movings so forward backward I mean as to his judgements that should we begin at Grostead Armachan Luther or anywhere else since the rise of the Beast and come down to this time there hath been very little of Gods Judgements yet Manifested to his own people much lesse to the Enemie And hence it is that Babylon saith in her heart I sit a Queen and am no widow shall see no sorrow Rev. 18.7 Yea hence it is that the Antichristians in their writings and ordinarie discourses doe stiffly maintain that Gods judgements have been as manifest and still are upon the witnesses the woman in the wildernesse and all parties opposing them as they are in respect of them Now howsoever this may be denyed yet hitherto we have not had matter nor the cause so on our side as by the judgments of God against them to put them to silence But confident I am the effects of all the Vials shall be such the 1. 2. 3. as well as the rest in the manifestation of Gods Judgements against the great whore and all her helpers that the righteous shall see it and rejoyce and all iniquitie shall stop her mouth Psa 107.42 Reas 8 Eighthly It is said Rev. 11.3 I will give power unto my two witnesses and they shall Prophesie 1260 days clothed in sackcloth neither did they put off their sackcloth till they had finished their Testimony ver 7. But these Angels which pour out the last plagues even all 7 have put off their sackcloth and are clothed with pure and white linen Rev. 15.6 hence it must needs follow if I have any understanding of the glorious prophesies to be fulfilled in the last times that neither * If any shall object that Grostead Armachan Husse Luther c. in one respect wore sackcloth and in another respect had fine linen I answer In my opinion this
against them but allowed and practised a multitude of Ceremonies Superstitions and Popish trash 4. To say they had the harps of God in their hands here again I am at a loss Whilst the Jews were in Babylon they hanged their harps upon the willows Psal 137.2 Indeed when the Lord turned again the Captivity of Sion then was their mouth filled with laughter and their tongue with singing Psal 126.1 2. I had thought that the harps of God come not into the hands of Saints till after the rising of the Witnesses But by this it seems whether before or after the times are all one as to Victory Triumph Singing c. onely in measure and degree some oddes Poor encouragement and comfort for such who expect to have all things new 5. I think what is said of Waldo Grosted Luther and others as to be the called chosen and faithful followers of Lamb redeemed from men first-fruits to God and to the Lamb c. it is more then their due if referred to Rev. 17.14 and Chap. 14.3 4 5. It is said of Job that he was a perfect man upright one that feared God and eschewed evil Job 1.1 Now howsoever the like may be said of others and truly too yet it would be absurd to say that in that Text they are so describ'd Whatsoever these men were in their Generation I say to give them their due to the full none of the Characters in Rev. 14 15. belong to them viz. the matter there it relates not to them Besides it is a great darkning of the holy Prophecies and destroys all Order to apply to the last times things pass'd many hundred years before Answ And yet 4. I do not finde a perfection or full answer to these Characters in every point as having the full victory and triumph over the Beast till the Armageddon-battel be over or the seventh Vial. So that for these and some other Reasons I think your fifth is of no force Repl. 1. Seeing neither Waldo Grosted Luther c. had the Characters and so consequently were none of the seven Angels it is nothing to our matter whether there shall be perfection and full victory or not till the Armageddon-battel But 2. To give some light here according to the light I have received That which you call perfection or full victory as to the Characters is to be considered two ways 1. Particular and thus the effects of every Vial shall be perfect and full according to the subject not one Vial to carry on and perfect what was left by the other unfinished 2. Universal that is when the last Vial is poured out all is done as Rev. 16.17 It hath been thought but whence taken I know not the first and second Vials not being full and perfect the third and fourth falling on the subjects of the former are to finish what the other left undone and this is one great cause of mens mistake about the beginning of the Vials which is neither so nor so Answer to the sixth Reason This seems somewhat considerable and genuous yea at first sight to have much force yet I must confess I am not satisfied with it For 1. I think the Tabernacle of the Testimony is opened gradually as the Witness or Testimony rise out of which the Angels of the Vials go Rev. 15. So that in every generation such a Tabernacle hath been opened with the Testimony against the Beast in proportion more or less whence the Vials have issued and therefore I must deny the Assumption of your Argument and say The Tabernacle of the Testimony was in a degree opened in Luther's time in the Brownists time and is at this day against the Beast in a proportionable purity and spirituality of Worship amongst the remnant of the womans seed and so Wickliff Huss Luther Zuinglius the Puritans so called Independents and others and now the holy and upright ones called The Fifth Monarchy-men were in the Tabernacle of the Testimony worshipping whence the Angels of the Vials come out Repl. 1. If I understand any thing of this Answer it implies 2 things 1. The Testimony of the Tabernacle in heaven was never shut whilest the sack-cloth Witnesses prophesied the 1260 dayes for if in every generation such a Tabernacle hath been opened with the Testimony against the Beast in proportion more or less c. admit it were gradually The Conclusion cannot be denied 2. That the pouring out of the Vials hath been ever since the sack-cloth Witnesses began to prophesie and so began with the 1260 dayes Neither is it strange that such things should pass for taking the Vials to begin before the rising of the Witnesses it cannot be avoided 2. Now the Reason I conceive of this mistake is not observing though the Scripture is cleer in it the distinction which the Holy Ghost makes between the Temple and the Tabernacle of the Testimony It is true the Witnesses and the Woman in the Wilderness had a Temple to worship God in and an Altar which is Christ by which to have access to the Father See Rev. 11.1 which seems to be the same Chap. 12.6 14. viz. the place prepared of God for their feeding and nourishment But for the Tabernacle of the Testimony that is the innermost part of the Tabernacle called the holy of holiest and the most holy place where the 2 Tables were put in the Ark Deut. 10.5 1 King 8.5 and that Ark placed in the innermost part of the Tabernacle or Temple 1 King 8.6 Heb. 9.3 4. that remained shut neither could men see into it out of the Court or Temple But 3. and more plain the Answerer is mistaken in taking the Tabernacle of the Testimony for the Temple for these are not only two and distinct in sound but as much in sence and signification What is said in the Answer of Lutherans Brownists Independents Puritans c. it is thus far true That in every Generation a Temple hath been opened that is some good people more or less seeing the abominable Idolatries and Blasphemies of the Beast have separated from the same according to their present Light and being thus far out of Babylon have joyned together in a more holy Communion And further as the Answerer saith very well this hath been gradually for if we consider this Temple that is either Church Ministery Worship or Government we shall finde it hath been gradual indeed both in eschewing the Errors of Antichrist and practising the Truths of the Gospel But now for the Tabernacle of the Testimony this is another thing within the Temple and seldom seen and by the High-Priest alone which I understand to be the opening of the Prophesies of the last time as Daniel and John's Visions such as these Dan. 12.4 9 11 12. Rev. 11.2 12.6 14. 13.13 22.10 Heb. 2.3 It is not for you saith Christ to know the times or the seasons c. Act. 1.7 Now it is not meant as if the Question there propounded by
the Apostles namely when the Kingdom should be restored again to Israel was a secret never to be revealed but it was not then seasonable nor necessary or proper for them as to their Generation to have the knowledge of it So the Tabernacle of the Testimony is shut whilst the Witnesses prophesie in sack-cloth because the things therein belong not to their Work or Age yet to be opened neer or about the time of the end as being then and not till then necessary and seasonable Neither doth Mr. Tilling in his 3 Proposition pag. 42. differ from this speaking That God's call to the Angels of the Vials is to be principally looked for out of the Temple I understand saith he not so much of the general call as a more particular and special Call peculiar to this time of the Vials The general Call to Generation-Work is dispensation but now at this time besides the Call of God's Dispensations the instruments God shall raise up to ruine the Whore shall have a more particular Call to this Work to the end they may neither flag nor draw back namely the loud and uncessant cry of the Temple Hence two things may be gathered I. The Vials are not began for such a particular and special Call hath not been yet out of the Temple It is true God hath raised up some men and brought them forth against Babylon as in France Germany England c. But this hath been no other than a General Call for 1. They have not moved nor acted like Angels which had golden girdles upon their breasts Neither 2. hath God's presence and appearance with them held forth such a thing Besides by the event it hath been well enough seen both in the Work and Instruments what the Call was So that we need now no other witness or proof viz. That neither by the Swedes or English any Vials were poured out then the things themselves II. That this particular and special Call out of the Temple cannot be until the Tabernacle of the Testimony be opened and the Ark seen for what else is God's Call to the Angels of the Vials to pour out their Vials but Light and Life that is knowing the 42 months are expired the witnesses risen and that it is the day of the Lord's vengeance and the yeer of Recompences for the controversie of Sion Now as the called of God they come forth to pour out their golden Vials not like Jehu to raise up themselves by other mens ruine but to follow the Lord fully and faithfully And this is according to the Prophet I have commanded my sanctified ones I have also called my mighty ones for mine anger even them that rejoyce in MY HIGHNESS Isa 13.3 Answ 2. I except against your proof Rev. 11.19 for I do not take that for the Tabernacle of the Testimony as you assert but for a full opening of the Temple in as primitive and purity of state as the Church was in before the Beast arose or in the first 3 Centuries which will not be at the rising of the 2 Witnesses nor before the Armageddon-battel but the Tabernacle is opened before the Temple as David 's Tabernacle was before Solomon 's Temple Now it is the Tabernacle of the Testimony which is opened and from whence the Vials come which Tabernacle grows up to the Temple Eph. 2.21 by degrees but the Temple when it is opened is opened all at once I conceive and universally not by degrees and to all the faithful Saints whereas the Tabernacle to the Generation-Saints that are faithful to the Testimony Repl. 1. It is no marvel that taking one thing for another you may go on thus in mistakes 1. To suppose that Rev. 11.19 is not one with Rev. 15.5 there is no ground for it why is it called the Tabernacle of the Testimony Numb 1.5 17.17 but in regard of the 2 Tables of Stone whereon was written as I said before the Law of God the Testimony of his will Exod. 34.28 and these Tables put into the Ark and that Ark placed in the uttermost part of the Temple So that to say the Tabernacle of the Testimony was opened and seen and not the Ark in my Opinion is no other than to imagine what is within a Chest or Closet may be seen and is open but the Chest or Closet it self neither seen nor open 2. Whereas you would have the Temple not open till the Armageddon-battel but the Tabernacle open before If things here be duely weighed the Temple was never shut but onely the Tabernacle of the Testimony and therefore what you speak of opening the Temple all at once universally and not by degrees I finde no Temple to apply such matter to Neither do I know any Tabernacle David had otherwise than taking care to provide a place for the Ark 2 Sam. 6.17 Psal 132. Answ 3. This appears more plain from the time this Temple is opened which the Holy Ghost tells us in Rev. 11.19 is after the seventh Trumpet sounds and Proclamation of the Kingdoms of the World to be Christ's vers 15. or yet more expresly under the 7 Vial Rev. 16.17 18 21. under which we finde the very same voyces thunders lightnings Earth-quakes and hail mentioned in the aforesaid Rev. 11.19 But the Tabernacle of the Testimony must needs be opened before that as none will deny it Repl. 1. That Rev. 11.19 contemporizes with Chap. 15.5 it is cleer to me neither do I see weight of Reason in what is here objected namely That Rev. 11.19 is after the 7 trumpet sounds and proclamation of the Kingdoms c. If a man have several things to speak he must have time to deliver them one after another he cannot speak them all at once Besides it is an excellent order which the Spirit of God useth in setting down the Particulars Having spoken of the risen Witnesses he shews first what shall be some present effect vers 13. then proceeds to the Concomitants as the beginng of the third work vers 14. with the sounding of the 7 trumpet vers 15. afterwards declares what joy there shall be in the Churches of the Saints that the Kingdoms of the world are falling in to Christ vers 16 17 18. Lastly that there might be no doubt made of these things he shews how the work shall be managed and carried on And the temple of God was opened in heaven and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament c. vers 19. agreeing to Rev. 15.5 meaning a cleer light which the 7 Angels shall have of their Work and when to begin 2. To bring Rev. 11.19 under the 7 Vial I think there is no ground for it 1. Because there is no mention made under that Vial of the Ark of the Testament opened in heaven such a thing is not so much as exprest 2. To gather it from lightnings voices thunderings c. in both places This will not hold for 1. Such Expressions in this Book are